Multiple dosage hypodermic syringe



Sept. 10, 1968 w. H. SCHULTZ MULTIPLE DOSAGE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE Filed June VIII!!! INVENTOR W\LL\AM H. SCHULTZ 144%, W M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Filed June 5, 1964, Ser. No. 372,950 Claims. (Cl. 128-216) This invention relates to hypodermic syringes and more particularly relates to a multiple dosage hypodermic syringe suited for mass inoculation of farm animals.

Conventional hypodermic syringes are not well suited for mass inoculations of farm animals when such inoculations are to be administered by an individual farmer or veterinarian. Some of the reasons for this are that in a conventional hypodermic syringe frequent refilling is necessary which makes the procedure time consuming and oftentimes difficult. Some syringes require an operator to use both hands to administer the inoculation, thus difficulty may be experienced in steadying the animal for the injection.

Also, conventional hypodermic syringes usually employ some form of shiftable plunger and seal for applying pressure to the serum to effect the injection. Because of the factthat at times the parts of the syringe may be subjected to large temperature differences due to the heat of the operators hand and a cool ambient temperature, unequal expansion of the parts of the syringe may occur, with the result that serum leaks past the plunger. In addition, if a series of inoculations are to be performed outdoors during low temperature condition, freezing of the serum may occur.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved multiple dosage hypodermic syringe.

Another object is to provide a novel multiple dosage hypodermic syringe of the foregoing character which does not require refilling between injections.

A further object is to provide a novel multiple dosage hypodermic syringe which can be manipulated with one hand.

Still another object is to provide a novel multiple dosage hypodermic syringe of the foregoing character which will not leak when the parts thereof are at different temperatures.

A further object is to provide a novel hypodermic syringe which minimizes the possibility of freezing of the serum.

Still another object is to provide a novel and improved multiple dosage hypodermic syringe which is easy to operate, simple in construction, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hypodermic syringe embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the syringe with the parts thereof in one operating position; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the parts thereof in another operative position.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a mulitple dosage hypodermic syringe 10 embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated.

The syringe 10 comprises an elongated hollow body or handle 11 having an axial bore 12 therethrough. The body 11 may be of any suitable material but is preferably of plastic. A cap 13 is threaded onto one end of the body 11 to close the right end of the bore 12, as viewed in FIG. 2, and the cap 13 is provided with a central axially inwardly extending tubular boss 14 which is internally threaded as at 16 to receive the outer or right end of conduit member or pipe 17. The pipe 17 extends through 3,400,716 Patented Sept. 10, 1968 the bore 12 and has a length somewhat less than that of the handle 11 so as to terminate somewhat inwardly of the left end of the handle 11, as viewed in FIG. 2. The left end of the pipe 17, as viewed in FIG. 2, is enlarged as at 21 to provide an abutment for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter.

The abutment 21 at the left end of the pipe 17 is counterbored as at 22 to receive a one-way valve assembly 23. The valve assembly 23 includes a tubular insert 24 threaded into the counterbore 22 and having a reduced diameter portion 26 at its outer or left end providing a shoulder. One end of a coil spring 27 bears against this shoulder and the other end of the coil spring 27 engages a ball 28 and serves to urge the ball 28 toward a seat 32 formed at the inner end of the pipe 17. Thus, the valve assembly 23 will permit flow therethrough from the pipe 17 but prevent a reverse flow.

A tubular member or sleeve 33 is telescopingly mounted in the bore 12 of the handle 11, the sleeve 33 having an outside diameter substantially equal to that of the bore 12. The internal diameter of the sleeve 33 is at least greater than the outside diameter of the abutment 21. A coil spring 34 is mounted in the bore 12 and has one end seated against the cap 13 and its other end engaging the inner end, indicated at 35, of the sleeve 33 to normally urge the latter out of the bore 12. In order to prevent complete disengagement of the sleeve 33 from the bore 12, a stop ring 36 is threaded into the inner end 35 of the sleeve 33 for engaging the abutment 21 on the pipe 17.

The outer or left end, indicated at 37, of the sleeve 33, includes an end Wall 38 having a central axial bore 39 therethrough. A one-way valve assembly 42 is mounted on the inner side of the end wall 38 and includes a tubular member 43 having its outer end pressfitted into or otherwise mounted in the inner end of the bore 39. The inner end of the tubular insert 43 has a reduced diameter portion 44 defining a seat for a ball 46. A spring 47 normally urges the ball 46 toward its seat. The valve assembly 42 thus permits flow in a direction from the inner side of the end wall 38 to the outer side thereof but will prevent fiow in a reverse direction.

A needle adapter 45 including a tubular portion 48 having an annular radially outwardly extending flange 49 therearound is mounted on the outer side of the end wall 38 with the inner end of the tubular portion 48 seated in the outer end of the bore 39 and the flange 49 engaging the end wall 38. The outer end of the tubular portion 48 is shaped to frictionally engage the socket portion, indicated at 50, of a hypodermic needle 51 to provide a releasable mounting for the needle. A tubular guard 52 may be mounted around the outer end of the sleeve 33 to prevent the socket portion 50 of the needle 51 and other parts of the syringe from coming into direct contact with the skin or hide of the animal. The guard 52 is made of a material with a soft flexible property.

Mounted within the sleeve 33 is an expansible and contractable container, in this instance a bellows 53. Preferably the bellows 53 is of nylon or some other material having similar properties. The bellows 53 has its inner end threaded onto the tubular insert 24 and its outer end threaded onto the inner end of the tubular insert 43. The bellows is thus sealed at each end, with the interior thereof communicating with the pipe 17 and needle 53 through the valve assemblies 23 and 42.

In order to provide a continuous supply of serum or other fluid to be injected to the syringe 10, the cap 13 may be provided with a fitting 56 which is adapted to receive one end of a tube 57, the other end of which is connected to a reservoir or container (not shown) of the serum. Such container may be carried by the user of the syringe and maintained in an elevated position with respect to the syringe to provide a gravity flow.

In order to prevent the sleeve 33 from telescoping into the bore 12 during insertion of the needle 51 releasable locking means is provided. Such releasable locking means, in this instance, comprises a depressible plunger 58 mounted in the handle 11 for manipulation by the user. The plunger 58 is normally urged upwardly into an inoperative position by a leaf spring 59 (FIG. 1) embedded in the plunger 58 and having its end seated in slots 62 in the handle 11. When depressed, the lower end of the plunger 58 extends into the path of movement of the inner end of the tubular member 33.

With the foregoing construction, it will be apparent that after the needle 51 has been inserted and the plunger 58 released, movement of the handle 11 toward the animal will cause the sleeve 33' to telescope into the handle 11, thereby compressing the bellows 53 and ejecting serum or other fluid therein through the needle 51 into the animal. Such movement collapses the bellows 53 and thus seats the ball 28 while unseating the ball 46.

Movement of the handle 11 toward the animal until the sleeve 33 is fully telescoped, will eject all of the contents in the bellows. Accordingly, means is provided for administering a measured dose of serum from the bellows 53 which is less than the total quantity of serum in the bellows 53.

Such dosage measuring means, in the present instance, comprises a ring 61 threaded onto the sleeve 33 and engageable with the end face, indicated at 62, of a metal collar 63 threaded onto the adjacent or left end of the handle 11 as viewed in FIG. 2. The threads, indicated at 64, on the sleeve 33 are preferably square and graduations or other indicia calibrated with respect to the position of the ring 61 on the sleeve 33 may be provided to indicate the dosage that will be administered when the sleeve 33 telescopes into the handle 11 and the ring 61 engages the end face 62.

The operation of the syringe 10 may be summarized as follows. Initially a container or reservoir of serum to be injected is connected to the syringe by means of the tube 57. The container may be mounted on a fixed support or carried by the operator. Either way, it is desirable that the container be elevated to provide a gravity fiow to the syringe 10. Assuming an appropriately sized needle is mounted on the adapter 49 and the dosage measuring ring 61 adjusted on the sleeve 61 to :a desired setting, the plunger 58 is manually depressed to lock the sleeve 33 in an extended position. While holding the plunger depressed the needle 51 is inserted. The tubular guard 52 prevents excessive penetration. Thereafter, the button is released and the handle 11 moved toward the animal to compress the bellows 53 and eject serum through the valve assembly 42 and needle 51 into the animal. The valve assembly 23 is closed at this time preventing serum in the bellows 53 from flowing back into the reservoir.

When the ring 61 abuts the end face 65 of the collar 63, as shown in FIG. 3, the desired dosage will have been administered. Thereafter, the syringe is withdrawn from the animal. During withdrawal, the spring 34 will cause the sleeve 33 to move out of the bore 12, and at the same time the bellows 53 will expand and fill with serum from the container or reservoir. The valve assembly 42 remains closed during such filling while the valve assembly 23 is open due to the action of the expanding bellows. The syringe 10 is then ready for another inoculation. Any number of inoculations may then be administered in rapid sequence, so long as there is a supply of serum in the remote reservoir.

It should be noted that large air spaces are defined around the flow path of serum through the syringe 10. Such air spaces provide insulation to prevent freezing of serum in the syringe when the latter must be used during low temperature conditions. In addition, the bellows 53 eliminates the need for seals which are usually employed in conventional syringes and which frequently leak.

While the syringe 10 is primarily intended for mass inoculation of farm animals, it may also be used for mass inoculation of human being providing standard antiseptic procedures are followed.

I claim:

1. A multiple dosage hypodermic syringe comprising an elongated, hollow body adapted to be grasped by a. user, a tubular member telescopingly mounted within said body and having an inner end and an outer end, an expansible and contractable container within said tubular member having one end movable with the outer end of said tubular member and its other end fixed with respect to said body, said other end of said container being adapted to be connected to a reservoir of serum to be injected, an injection needle mounted on the outer end of said tubular members and communicating with the interior of said container, first one-way valve means between said container and reservoir preventing serum in said container from flowing into said reservoir upon telescoping movement of said body over said tubular member to contract said container and eject serum through said needle, second one-way valve means between said container and said injection needle preventing reverse flow through the latter, whereby extension of said tubular member from said body causing said container to expand and fill with serum for another injection.

2. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1, in which said container comprises a bellows.

3. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 2, in which said bellows is of a flexible nontoxic material.

4. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1, in which an adjustable abutment is provided on said tubular member for limiting inward telescoping movement of said body over said tubular member and the quantity of serum displaced from said container and through said needle.

5. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 4, in which said adjustable abutment comprises an annular member threaded onto said tubular member so as to be axially adjustable therealong.

6. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 4, in which said tubular member is provided with axially spaced graduations, said annular member cooperating with said graduations to indicate the amount of serum to be injected upon telescoping movement of said body over said tubular member.

7. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 1 in which a spring is provided for urging extension of said tubular member outwardly of said body.

8. A multiple dosage hypodermic syringe comprising a hollow body, adapted to be grasped by a user, a tubular member telescopingly mounted within said body and having an inner end and an outer end, an expansible and contractable container within said tubular member having one end movable with the outer end of said tubular member and its other end fixed with respect to said body, said other end of said container being adapted to be connected to a reservoir of serum to be injected, an injection needle mounted on the outer end of said tubular member and communicating with the interior of said container, releasable locking means for preventing said body from telescoping over said tubular member during penetration of said needle, one Way valve means between said container and reservoir preventing serum in said container from flowing into said reservoir upon telescoping movement of said body over said tubular member to contract said container and eject serum through said needle, another one-way valve means between said container and said injection needle preventing reverse flow through the latter, whereby extension of said tubular member from said body causes said container to expand and fill with serum for another injection.

9. A hypodermic syringe according to claim 8, in which said releasable locking means comprises a depressible plunger engageable with said tubular member.

10. A multiple dosage hypodermic syringe comprising a generally elongated body adapted to be grasped by a user and having an axial bore extending inwardly from one end thereof, a conduit member fixedly mounted in the other end of said body and disposed in said bore, a tubular member telesoopingly mounted in said bore and having an inner end and an outer end, an expansible and contractable container within said tubular member having one end connected to the outer end of said tubular member and its other end connected to the outer end of said conduit member, the inner end of said conduit member being adapted to be connected to a reservoir of serum to be injected, an injection needle mounted on the outer end of said tubular member and communicating with the interior of said container, a one-Way valve at said one end of said container and another one-way valve at said 15 other end of said container, said first mentioned valve being unseated upon inward-telescoping movement of said tubular member to permit serum flow from said container and through said needle, said last mentioned valve being unseated upon outward telescoping movement of said tubular member to permit serum flow from said reservoir to the interior of said container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

M. F. MAJESTIC, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MULTIPLE DOSAGE HYPODERMIC SYRINGE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED, HOLLOW BODY ADAPTED TO BE GRASPED BY A USER, A TUBULAR MEMBER TELESCOPINGLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID BODY AND HAVING AN INNER END AND AN OUTER END, AN EXPANSIBLE AND CONTRACTABLE CONTAINER WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING ONE END MOVABLE WITH THE OUTER END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND ITS OTHER END FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY, SAID OTHER END OF SAID CONTAINER BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A RESERVOIR OF SERUM TO BE INJECTED, AN INJECTION NEEDLE MOUNTED ON THE OUTER END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, FIRST ONE-WAY VALVE MEANS BETWEEN SAID CONTAINER AND RESERVOIR PREVENTING SERUM IN SAID CONTAINER FROM FLOWING INTO SAID RESERVOIR UPON TELESCOPING MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY OVER SAID TUBULAR MEMBER TO CONTRACT SAID CONTAINER AND EJECT SERUM THROUGH SAID NEEDLE, SECOND ONE-WAY VALVE MEANS BETWEEN SAID CONTAINER AND SAID INJECTION NEEDLE PREVENTING REVERSE FLOW THROUGH THE LATTER, WHEREBY EXTENSION OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FROM SAID BODY CAUSING SAID CONTAINER TO EXPAND AND FILL WITH SERUM FOR ANOTHER INJECTION. 